Barbara Francis BSc, GDipAppSci (Health Stats), PhD, M.A.S.M.
Scientist
61 3 9418 1124
barbara@nrl.gov.au

Barbara graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Microbiology from the University of Melbourne in 1969, and later completed a Graduate Diploma of Health Statistics in 1996 and a PhD in 2002 both from Swinburne University of Technology. In 1970 she joined Mercy Hospital for Women (then Mercy Maternity Hospital) as a foundation member of staff and remained there for 30 years.

After two years in charge of Microbiology, a laboratory she established from scratch, she worked on a research project looking into iron and folic acid levels in pregnancy. In 1975 she moved into viral serology first developing an in-house rubella haemagglutination-inhibition test and a year later establishing a rubella screening and vaccination programme for pregnant women and nursing staff. This began a life-long interest in rubella which over the years has produced a number of published papers and numerous oral presentations culminating in a PhD entitled ' The Impact of Rubella Immunisation on the Serological Status of Women of Childbearing Age', based on the 75,000 record data-base obtained from 25 years of rubella antibody testing. Serology tests for cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, parvovirus, varicella zoster virus, syphilis, hepatitis A, B and C and HIV were introduced as the need arose and when tests became available.

In October 2002 Barbara joined the staff of NRL in a part-time capacity to coordinate serology evaluations, and to provide statistical and other support to a variety of projects.

Away from work her interests include overseas travel, family history research, bush walking, gardening, theatre, classical music, football, cricket, reading and cryptic crosswords.